Billy Neal Weatherford

Billy Neal Weatherford, age 86, of Mount Vernon, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. He was joyfully reunited with his wife, Joyce, of 67 years and 3 infant children, each lost in childbirth. Bill was born July 16, 1936, in Mount Vernon, Texas, to Pleas Daniel and Wanda Marie (Ezell) Weatherford. He was raised in Mount Vernon, the oldest of 2 children, and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1955.

Bill married the love of his life, Joyce Castle Weatherford, on December 3, 1955, in Franklin County where they would begin their life. He worked for the Texas Highway Department before moving to Garland, Texas in the early 1960s. Bill then spent more than 20 years working in the shipping and receiving department with Merchants Freightline of Dallas. The couple then returned to Franklin County where they established a broiler operation on their farm and they spent 33 years as growers for Pilgrim’s Pride before retiring just a few years ago.  

Bill enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grand and great grandchildren. He was known to keep $5 bills handy to give to the kids, along with a sweet treat to ruin their supper. When he wasn’t busy keeping up with the farm, he was an avid fisherman, and enjoyed taking the kids to fish as well.

Bill is survived by his only sister, Fleda Maxton and brother-in-law, James Maxton; his son, Jason Weatherford; daughter-in-law, Ronda Weatherford; grandchildren, Brandon Weatherford (and wife Kindell), Jesica Weatherford Edwards (and husband Jeremey), and Summer Weatherford (and fiancé Juan Tovar); great-grandchildren, Jadyn Weatherford, Layken Edwards, Landri Edwards and Layne Tovar; numerous nieces, nephews, and greats; and special friends, Jerry and Linda Hammond.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce Weatherford; parents, Pleas and Wanda Weatherford; infant sons, James Daniel Weatherford and Jon Michael Weatherford; infant daughter, Hope Weatherford; sister-in-law and brother-in-law/best friend, Jo Ann and Louis Agee; and special relatives, Gerald and Orpha Ezell.

The Weatherford family will receive friends and loved ones on Saturday, May 6, 2023, between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM at Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the Weatherford family requests memorial donations to the Greenwood Cemetery Association: P.O. Box 153, Saltillo, Texas 75478.

Services entrusted to Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home.

www.samharveyfuneralhome.com.

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